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Caloric RestrictionCaloric restriction is an experimental tool that utilizes "undernutrition without malnutrition." In other words, caloric restriction refers to a diet with between 30-40% fewer calories than is typical, but which contains all the necessary nutrients and vitamins to support life.Caloric restriction seems to slow down some of the destructive processes that take place in cells and tissues with aging. Scientists don't yet know exactly how or why it works, but have developed several theories. First of all, caloric restriction seems to reduce damage from chemical metabolic processes, particularly oxidative and glycation damage, thought to be leading causes of cell aging and death. (2) On a larger scale, caloric restriction slows the effects of aging on the nervous system, the reproductive organs and the production of hormones in some animals. It has been shown to boost the immune system and delay the onset of certain age-related cancers. Caloric restriction is the only experimental intervention, other than temperature manipulation in cold-blooded animals, studied that can conclusively increase longevity--in experimental animals. Caloric restriction has been shown to increase both the average and the maximal life spans in paramecia, worms, spiders, insects, and rodents. Preliminary results suggest that calorie-restricted monkeys are healthier and tend to live longer than their freely fed counterparts. Even if caloric restriction does not work in humans, studying its mechanisms is still very important. Caloric restriction seems to prevent or delay many age-associated diseases and conditions, such as heart disease, dementia, and cancer. If scientists can figure out how it works, they might be able to develop drugs that mimic its effects without requiring people to drastically reduce their calorie intake and risk potentially dangerous side effects. The main goal of mimicking caloric restriction through drugs is not necessarily to increase lifespan, but to reduce the incidence or delay the onset of age-related diseases and conditions and thereby improve the quality of later life. Courtesy of FitnessandFreebies.com Back to Previous Page
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